In New York, emotions remain raw nearly a decade after the September 11 attacks. |
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In New York, emotions remain raw nearly a decade after the attacks, with some family members ambivalent about Obama’s trip — and others questioning why the event wasn’t opened to all who wanted to attend.

“I hope it’s not something where the president’s coming here to get points,” said retired city firefighter Lee Ielpi, whose 29-year-old son, Jonathan, died in the collapse of the south tower.

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“I really don’t think so. … But I hope what he’s going to say to us is going to be something we can carry into the street and pass it along in a positive way,” said Ielpi, one of those picked to meet with Obama by the White House with guidance from the foundation that is overseeing development of a World Trade Center memorial.

A city that prides itself on resiliency and a short memory has never quite shaken the grievous blow to its confidence suffered on that sunny, cerulean Tuesday.

A NY 1/Marist Poll taken after Sunday’s raid on bin Laden’s compound found Obama’s popularity in the city jumped by 10 points, to 69 percent, in recent weeks. But the poll also found New Yorkers to be conflicted about the impact of bin Laden’s death, with only about a quarter saying they felt safer — and a similar number saying they actually think the raid has made them less safe.

“Osama bin Laden’s killing is huge, but around the fringes I think you are still going to see criticism on the right about his indecisiveness and, on the liberal side, you are going to hear complaints about Gitmo,” says Marist Poll director Lee Miringoff.

“The bottom line is that Obama got the guy, and that’s why so many Republicans are backing off right now — at least until the next unemployment report.”

While the political appeal of Bush and Obama have faded here, the service they rendered the city during its darkest days have not been forgotten — even if Obama is the one basking in the afterglow of bin Laden’s death.

House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Peter King (R-N.Y.), a friend of Giuliani’s whose Long Island district was home to dozens of firefighter and police officers killed in the attacks, said it was hard not to draw parallels between Obama’s visit and Bush’s famous bullhorn speech to ground zero workers days after the towers fell.

“To me, it’s the president of the United States, and at a moment like this, the president is above politics,” said King. “The big question is: ‘Is it the right thing to do?’ To me, it’s the right thing to do. It closes a very sad chapter in this book. This is where it began, and now we’re back.”

For being the product of an event that brought the nation together, the scarred World Trade Center site has, from virtually the very beginning, been a flash point of controversy.

The total obsession with Osama Bin Laden by the Main Street Media sets to rest any confusion about whether the Elites are a separate nation, or a part of the United States of America. Look at the articles in today’s Politico. Listen to grown men, supposedly highly educated, arguing on FoxNews, CNN, MSNBC, if water boarding worked, if Bush gets some of the credit, how glorious it was………..ad nauseum. IT MAKES NO DIFFERECE. Osama bin Laden WON. He said he would destroy us economically by drawing us into endless wars. LOOK AROUND YOU PEOPLE........BUT FOR THE RECORD:

So Obama makes his first trip to Ground Zero,and he picks a "select group" of family members to attend...why now? doesn't he have more pressing business like the economy,or maybe a round of golf scheduled? P.T. Barnum had it right,"There's a sucker born every minute" Mr President,unfortunately for you,America has awoken to all your empty promises and change! your just an empty suit taking advantage of a sad situtation and trying to cash in on it!

Pay no attention to that inflation, unemployment, $5 a gallon gas, tax increases, unsustainable deficit, partisanship, and economic collapse. Instead let's just talk about these photos and this birth certificate.

Obama is using anything and everything to up his poll numbers! Bin Laden has been reported dead over 9 times! When a nation has a government like ours, it is hard to believe anything they say! Politicians think all Americans will believe anything they are told and what is really sad most will! We no longer question, we just accept reports as facts. The news media is more gullible than the people. They are in the entertainment business! To use ground zero for a political purpose is sick! All those people waving their flags and rejoicing upon a reported death makes me wonder what America has become and where we are going in the future.

well good morning to all the haters & losers, usual suspects... i know everything is right in the world when i can wake up to you folk & your jealous, hateful rage... yeah! you make my day, it's wonderful knowing president obama so moves your petty, insignificant butts.

well good morning to all the haters & losers, usual suspects... i know everything is right in the world when i can wake up to you folk & your jealous, hateful rage... yeah! you make my day, it's wonderful knowing president obama so moves your petty, insignificant butts.

Its always ALL ABOUT OBAMA. Now another photo op !!!! Its ALL ABOUT ME - love me ...Im your Anointed One.

He has taken a military success and turned it into a PR disaster. No photos of Bin Ladin ?? Mr Obama had no problem with releasing photos of terrorists being abused by American soldiers that enflamed the whole world and endangered our troops. Also Mr Obama doesnt seem to understand that throwing a body into the sea is not a Muslim practice, it is repugnant to them.

Everything this so-called President does to downplay radical Islam and to protect its proponents is back firing on him. Poetic Justive

In 2012 lets elect someone who will put America & Americans first . This current crop in Washington is worried about everyone EXCEPT the people they are suppose tp represent.

Release the photos and lets move on...Obama has another golf outing he needs to attend. while Michelle dances with Beyonce. Shows where their priorities lie...ITS ALL ABOUT ME !!!!

I think it would have been great for the country to have Barack Obama and George Bush share this defining moment. Perhaps they may yet do so on the 9/11/11 - the 10th anniversary. If people can just put their partisanship down for one week, this would do the country's collective psyche a great deal of good.

Its always ALL ABOUT OBAMA. Now another photo op !!!! Its ALL ABOUT ME - love me ...Im your Anointed One.

He has taken a military success and turned it into a PR disaster. No photos of Bin Ladin ?? Mr Obama had no problem with releasing photos of terrorists being abused by American soldiers that enflamed the whole world and endangered our troops. Also Mr Obama doesnt seem to understand that throwing a body into the sea is not a Muslim practice, it is repugnant to them.

Everything this so-called President does to downplay radical Islam and to protect its proponents is back firing on him. Poetic Justive

In 2012 lets elect someone who will put America & Americans first . This current crop in Washington is worried about everyone EXCEPT the people they are suppose tp represent.

Release the photos and lets move on...Obama has another golf outing he needs to attend. while Michelle dances with Beyonce. Shows where their priorities lie...ITS ALL ABOUT ME !!!!